Very unusually large and rare netsuke of a squirrel on top of a leaf with biwa fruit. Eyes inlaid with black horn. Great Patina, nicely worn himotoshi.
The design was probably taken from the woodblock book Ehon Tekagami printed in 1720.
Unsigned. Length 59 mm.
Excellent netsuke with a superb patina. This is more unusual and abstract take on a classic interpretation of the dancing fox netsuke.
Unsigned. Height 57 mm.
Nice netsuke of a rat with excellent orange patina. Age cracks and wear signify great amount of use. Eyes inlaid with black horn.
Unsigned, Kyoto.
Length 37 mm.
Mother Hare with 3 babies is a rare composition because number four in Japanese culture has to do with death. Nicely detailed carving with realistic carving of the back and paws.
Unsigned, attributed to Minko workshop.
Length 33 mm.
Fierce battle between samurai and a tiger.Samurai is about to stab the tiger with the sword as the tiger able to block the fatal blow. Mellow patina and typical porosities of the bone.
Unsigned. Length 40 mm
Late 18 century ivory netsuke depicting a sagemono set comprising of kinchaku- tobacco pouch, ojime and Okame mask netsuke.
Nice patina. Rare subject. Signed Masatsugu in reserve on the back for the rare carver Masatsugu of Kyoto. Width 42 mm.
Almost identical netsuke by the same carver is in Weldermann Collection at the Museum Kunst Palast Dusseldorf, Germany.
Early 19th century ivory netsuke of Puppy with Mari - the ball for Kemari game. The work of Okatomo line Kyoto carver. Nice sculpture, pleasant patina.
The Kemari game is known in Japan since the 7th century and still popular in Shinto shrines.
Unsigned. Height 40 mm.
Early 18th century ivory Dancing Fox - the messenger of the Shinto Goddess of rice and food Inari.
Similar netsuke from Lazarnick collection obviously by the same hand was sold on Sotheby's London on 11/14/2000 for 10.800 pounds. Nice mellow patina.
Unsigned. Height 56 mm.
Incredibly rare 19th century ivory netsuke in the form of the moon. Peony flower design on one sideand haiku poem on the other side. The netsuke is signed by Bunyu and kakihan previously unrecorded Iwami artist.Poem talks about Sakura festival. For complete translation please contact me. Length 3.25inches Thickness 0.75inches
